fast been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fast been" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. Example: "I have fast been working on this project for weeks."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Lately, the practice has fast been finding its way into America's cubicles, factories and boardrooms.

The New York Times

Islamism in the Arab world now covers a wide spectrum; and its sensible end has fast been evolving from a radical, violent strain into a modern, outward-looking variant.

The Economist

At the same time, Internet radio stations have fast been disappearing because of new copyright laws, lobbied for by the record industry, requiring that broadcasters pay royalties on the music they play.

The New York Times - Arts

The booming commodities market has become increasingly attractive to investors, with hard assets like oil and gold perhaps offering a safe hedge against inflation, as well as the double-digit gains that have fast been disappearing from the markets for stocks, bonds and real estate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

How fast is fast?

The Guardian

How fast are you?

The New York Times - Sports

How fast is that?

The New York Times - Sports

How fast is he?

The New York Times

Fast is good.

The New York Times

How fast was Hege going?

The New York Times - Sports

Very fast is very bad.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "fast been" in formal writing. It is grammatically unconventional and can detract from the clarity of your message. Instead, opt for more standard alternatives like "quickly been" or "rapidly been".

Common error

A frequent mistake is using "fast" as an adverbial modifier directly before the past participle. Ensure you use adverbs like "quickly" or "rapidly" instead, which are grammatically correct and more commonly accepted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fast been" functions as a modifier attempting to describe a state of rapid progression. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically sound in standard English. As such, its function is grammatically flawed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "fast been" appears in some contexts, especially in news media, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as such, recommending alternatives like "quickly been" or "rapidly been". The intended purpose is to emphasize speed or quick progression, but its non-standard nature makes it unsuitable for formal or academic writing. For clearer and more grammatically sound communication, it's best to opt for the suggested alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quickly evolving

Replaces "fast been" to emphasize the speed of change with a more standard adverb.

rapidly developing

Emphasizes speed and progress in development, offering a more formal tone.

swiftly progressing

Highlights quick advancement, suitable for describing project stages or market changes.

steadily accelerating

Conveys continuous increase in speed or progress over time.

gaining momentum rapidly

Focuses on the increasing force behind a movement or project.

has quickly become

Indicates a fast transformation into a specified state or condition.

has rapidly turned into

Highlights a swift conversion or change in something.

has swiftly transformed into

Implies a fast and complete change in form or appearance.

has been quickly

Modifies the passive voice to indicate something done with speed.

has been rapidly

Emphasizes the speed at which something has been done or occurred.

FAQs

Is "fast been" grammatically correct?

No, "fast been" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "quickly been" or "rapidly been".

What are some alternatives to "fast been"?

Instead of "fast been", you can use phrases such as "quickly evolving", "rapidly developing", or "swiftly progressing", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "fast been"?

Due to its non-standard nature, it's generally not appropriate to use "fast been" in formal or academic writing. While it may occasionally appear in informal contexts, it's best to use more conventional alternatives for clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "fast been" and "quickly been"?

"Fast been" is grammatically incorrect, while "quickly been" is a grammatically accepted phrase. "Quickly" is an adverb that correctly modifies the past participle "been", whereas "fast" typically functions as an adjective or adverb of manner and doesn't fit the required grammatical structure.